Assessing Student Engagement and Learning:
I would describe student engagement as pretty high. I think I heard from just about all the students. I had some very creative ideas and perceptions. They had a bit of a hard time focusing, not talking to each other, etc. but they were the last class of the day on Friday and I know that doesn't help anything. In the past they have been able to focus better. They were also distracted by the ipad recording.
The students noticed many things about this image. They noticed the "mom and daughters" first, the jungle around them, and the lack of a dad in the photo. Many of them thought that it might have been painted inside somewhere similar to when they get their photos taken. If they were outside some pondered what they could have been sitting on, they thought a log would have been too low and it's not in the photo. One noticed the mad look on the girls face in the red but i'm surprised she didn't say something about her arms. They noticed the flowers in the moms hand and background. Some thought that maybe the dad was buried in the ground where the white flower is planted on the right. Some thought she was someone important because of her fancy dress and collar that some kings might have.
The students had detailed observations and interpretations with and without evidence. I think one might have used conditional language. I would think they are stage I viewers.
I think the students learned how to look deeper into an artwork. Some of them are working on looking for clues as to what might be going on. They certainly pull from their own experiences while looking at these images.I think they are learning to listen to each other. I did have a student agree with another student using their names and building on that idea.
Reflecting on Practice:
I think the VTS discussion felt good. The questions seem to flow fairly easily. I tried to remember to paraphrase everything and not jump onto question 2 without paraphrasing. I am getting used to deciding what needs question number 2 and what comments don't.
I think I was able to use the questions, behaviors, paraphrasing and conditional language comfortably. Sometimes I catch myself and try to correct myself but over all I think it went well.
Sometimes I used question 2 and used a more direct question, or "I see you noticed this, what do you see that makes you say that". It seems helpful when there are many ideas thrown out by one student to break it down. I haven't noticed a difference.
If there were any surprises it was how hard of a time they had focusing this time when it wasn't this bad in the past. With kids you never know, time of day, weather, and holidays easily throw them off. I think they are getting the hang of the process and it's coming more easily. It would also be great if they would stay in their seats but I guess they get so excited they really want to get up and point to what they are talking about. I guess I will need to explain to them that pointing is my job their theirs is to look and talk.
Planning:
I would like to continue working on paraphrasing and linking ideas. I hope the more comfortable I feel the easier it will be to slow down and focus on listening and paraphrasing. I did put the questions in the back of the classroom so I can look at them if I mix up the wording.
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteAs your peer coach this week I enjoyed reading your blog article #6. It seems like both you and your students are getting the hang of facilitating a VTS discussion. It really is fun to hear their comments isn't it?! I don't know if it is a bad thing to have the kids come up to the screen to point at what they are looking at. My students also do that if they want to clarify something or see it better. Do you have your students sit up close to your screen? Maybe on the floor around it, or bring their chairs up closer? I do because I find it makes them focus on what we are doing and not get as distracted as when they are sitting in the back and think I can't see them or hear them. When my students are sitting too far away it is too easy for them to not pay attention. That might help your kids with their attention if you are not doing it already. But, you're right, the last class on Friday is pretty hard to compete with!
The fact that just about all of your students contributed to the discussion sounds like they were paying attention and focused more than you might think. It sounds like their comments were pretty intuitive too. They were not just making a visual list of what they saw, but were trying to figure out, or tell a story about the figures in the picture. It also sounds like you are pretty comfortable with the VTS questions and behaviors. Great idea to post the questions on the back wall to help you remember! By putting those questions on the wall it probably reminds you to use them in discussions outside of VTS as well.
The more you do VTS the more comfortable you will feel, and your kids will come to know what to expect too. I find it also helps me get to know my students better by hearing their thoughts and comments. Sometimes I'm really surprised by how insightful they can be. (And sometimes I'm really surprised by how much they don't see or their explanations of what they do see!) Keep up the good work! It sounds like you're doing great!
This was a rich discussion and even though they were an active group, they noticed and commented on a lot!! I agree with Cindy - "they were paying attention and focused more than you thought." (BTW, even more challenging than last period on a Friday is VTS with elementary kiddos on the day before the Xmas holiday or the day after Halloween!! Those are tough to compete with!!) I agree that your comfort with the questions is growing! You rocked it at SLAM! This is definitely allowing you to listen closely to see if Q#2 is necessary. I also liked your little "prefix" to Question 2 - " I see you noticed. . .What did you see that made you say . . ." Great personal touch. Keep up the great work!
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